__NOTOC__ The blanket stitch is a stitch used to reinforce the edge of thick materials. Depending on circumstances, it may also be called a ''cable stitch'' or a ''crochet stitch''. It is "a decorative stitch used to finish an unhemmed

blanket A blanket is a swath of soft cloth large enough either to cover or to enfold most of the user's body and thick enough to keep the body warm by trapping radiant body heat that otherwise would be lost through convection. Etymology The term ...

. The stitch can be seen on both sides of the blanket."

History

This stitch has long been both an application by hand and as a machine sewn stitch. When done by hand, it is sometimes considered a

crochet Crochet (; ) is a process of creating textiles by using a crochet hook to interlock loops of yarn, thread (yarn), thread, or strands of other materials. The name is derived from the French term ''crochet'', meaning 'hook'. Hooks can be made from ...

stitch, used to join pieces together to make a blanket or other larger item. It is used in sewing leather pieces together, as traditionally done by indigenous American cultures, and even for weaving basket rims. The

whipstitch __NOTOC__ The blanket stitch is a stitch used to reinforce the edge of thick materials. Depending on circumstances, it may also be called a ''cable stitch'' or a ''crochet stitch''. It is "a decorative stitch used to finish an unhemmed blanket. ...

is also a type of surgical suturing stitch. When done by machine, it may be called a whip stitch or, sometimes, a Merrow Crochet Stitch, after the first

sewing machine A sewing machine is a machine used to sew fabric and materials together with thread. Sewing machines were invented during the first Industrial Revolution to decrease the amount of manual sewing work performed in clothing companies. Since the inv ...

that was used to sew a blanket stitch. This machine was produced and patented by the

Merrow Machine Company The Merrow Sewing Machine Company, best known for inventing the overlock sewing machine, is a manufacturer of sewing machines. After the explosion of his gunpowder mill in 1837, in 1838 J.M. Merrow built a knitting mill on the same site. The comp ...

in 1877. The defining characteristic of the crochet machine is its ability to sew with yarn and stitch thick goods with a consistent

overlock An overlock is a kind of stitch that sews over the edge of one or two pieces of cloth for edging, hemming, or seaming. Usually an overlock sewing machine will cut the edges of the cloth as they are fed through (such machines being called ser ...

edge. From 1877 to 1925 the machine evolved dramatically, and consequently so did the capacity of manufacturers to produce goods with the whip stitch.

Style

The blanket stitch is commonly used as a decorative stitch on an array of garments. Besides blankets, it is used on

sweaters A sweater (North American English) or pullover, also called a jumper (British English and Australian English), ...

, outerwear,

swimsuit A swimsuit is an item of clothing designed to be worn by people engaging in a water-based activity or List of water sports, water sports, such as swimming, Diving (sport), diving and surfing, or sun-orientated activities, such as sun bathing. Di ...

s, home furnishings, pillows, and much more. There are many styles of production blanket stitching, including rolled, narrow, with elastic, and traditional (see photos below). Additionally, the term "blanket stitch" has become a verb, describing the application of the stitch.

References

{{sewing Embroidery stitches Sewing stitches

History

Style

See also

References